Drosselmeyer wins 2010 Belmont. Horsephotos.com/NTRA. June 11, Play the Belmont with. Daily Late-Breaking Online Updates Begin June 7

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1 B e l m ont s ta k es W a g e r i n g G u i d e Drosselmeyer wins 2010 Belmont. Horsephotos.com/NTRA June 11, 2011 b e l m o n t p a r k Play the Belmont with

2 Fellow Racing Fan, Welcome to the fourth fantastic edition of XpressBet s Belmont Stakes Wagering Guide! Congratulations to the connections of Animal Kingdom and Shackleford, winners of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, respectively. We ve enjoyed two outstanding races and anticipate an exciting rubber match in the Belmont Stakes, if both race. In any event, this year s Belmont Stakes renewal figures to match a wide-open field of runners at the testing distance of a mile and one-half. It s a unique and historic race on the American landscape and you ll need all the help you can get in picking a winner. That s where XpressBet s Belmont Wagering Guide and online, daily, late-breaking updates come in handy. We ve recruited top handicappers, writers and broadcasters to examine this important race--- Analysis, Main Contenders, Value Plays and Wagering Strategies. You ll also find lots of useful Stats & Trends, a handy Exotic Wagering Chart and additional information inside this free guide. If you already have an XpressBet account, then you know that XpressBet is the ultimate place to watch and wager on great racing from around the world without membership, monthly or perwager fees. XpressBet has the most extensive wagering menu available this summer, including Belmont, Saratoga, Churchill, Calder, Hollywood, Monmouth, Del Mar, Arlington and many more tracks. If you re not an XpressBet account holder, we invite you to open an account today online at or by phone at. Now is a good time to take advantage of a promotion that offers a juicy $125 bonus for new account holders. See the ad in this guide or visit for complete details. Please enjoy the guide, the late updates and have a fortunate and profitable Belmont Stakes Day wagering with XpressBet! Sincerely, Ron Luniewski President XpressBet Belmont stakes Wagering Guide Updates Available Online Daily Beginning June 7

3 Belmont Wagering Facts by Jeremy Plonk, Horseplayernow.com and ESPN.com analyst Below are some interesting and informative wagering tidbits from past Belmont Stakes events. WIN-PLACE-SHOW PAYOFFS (Last 10 years, Odds to $1) Win Odds Average: High: (Sarava, 2002) Low: 1.15 (Afleet Alex, 2005) Notable: 3 straight Belmont winners were 11-to-1 or more. Place Odds Average: 6.69 High: (Medaglia d Oro, 2002) Low:.35-to-1 (Smarty Jones, 2004) Notable: 8 of last 10 Belmont runner-ups were single-digit odds. Show Odds Average: High: (Anak Nakal/Ready s Echo dead-heat, 2008) Low: 1.00 (Funny Cide, 2003) Notable: 3 of the last 7 Belmont show horses were 20-to-1 or more. EXACTA PAYOFFS (Last 10 years, $2 Payoffs) Average: $ High: $2, (Sarava-Medaglia d Oro, 2002) Low: $20.60 (Point Given-A P Valentine, 2001) Notable: 7 of the last 8 Belmont exactas paid $144 or less. TRIFECTA PAYOFFS (Last 10 years, $1 Payoffs) Average: $1, High: $12, (Sarava-Medaglia d Oro-Sunday Break, 2002) Low: $33.75 (Empire Maker-Ten Most Wanted-Funny Cide, 2003) Notable: 4 of the last 5 Belmont trifectas paid $383 or less. BELMONT SELECTION GRID SUPERFECTA PAYOFFS (Wager Available 9 Years, $1 Payoffs) Average: $12, High: $72, (Sarava-Medaglia d Oro-Sunday Break-Magic Weisner, 2002) Low: $91.75 (Point Given-A P Valentine-Monarchos-Dollar Bill, 2001) Average Odds of Fourth-Place Finishers: to-1 Notable: 5 of 9 superfectas paid $624 or more. HIGHEST-PRICED RUNNERS IN SUPERFECTA (Last 10 Years, Odds to $1) Odds Horse Year Fin Sarava st Da Tara st Birdstone st Anak Nakal rd LOWEST-PRICED FAVORITES (Last 10 Years, Odds to $1) Odds Horse Year Fin..30 Big Brown 2008 dnf.35 Smarty Jones nd 1.00 Funny Cide rd 1.10 Curlin nd 1.15 Afleet Alex st 1.25 War Emblem th 1.25 Mine That Bird rd 1.35 Point Given st ODDS-ON BELMONT BUSTS (Since 1979) Year Horse Fin. Odds 2008 Big Brown dnf Smarty Jones 2nd Real Quiet 2nd Sunday Silence 2nd Alysheba 4th Pleasant Colony 3rd Spectacular Bid 3rd 1-5 Host Bob Neumeier Mike Battaglia Jeff Siegel Jon White Dick Jerardi Steve Byk (NBC Sports) (NBC Sports) (HRTV) (HRTV) (Phila. Daily News) (SiriusXM Radio) First Nehro Animal Kingdom Brilliant Speed Nehro Animal Kingdom Animal Kingdom Second Master of Hounds Shackleford Master of Hounds Animal Kingdom Master of Hounds Master of Hounds Third Santiva Master of Hounds Animal Kingdom Master of Hounds Shackleford Shackleford Fourth Brilliant Speed Nehro Nehro Shackleford Nehro Santiva

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5 Meet the Belmont contenders by Johnny D ANIMAL KINGDOM The Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness Stakes runner-up enters the Belmont as the probable favorite. He defeated all of the top Belmont contenders in the Derby, and all but one of them Shackleford in the Preakness. The distance shouldn t be a problem for him, and the wide, sweeping turns of Belmont Park ought to play to his strengths. Apparently, he didn t bounce much, if at all, off his Derby performance in the Preakness and now that he s had three weeks to recuperate, he might be ready for another big effort. Animal Kingdom reacted negatively to dirt in his face just after the start of the Preakness. That early hesitation left him far back with too much to do. He didn t have a troubled trip in the race, but it wasn t completely clear sailing (like in the Derby) either. A muchanticipated rubber match between Animal Kingdom and Shackleford in the Belmont will be interesting, but there are other horses in this race who will have something to say about the outcome. BELMONT LAST TIMES... The Last Kentucky Derby Winner to Win: Thunder Gulch (1995) Preakness Winner to Win: Afleet Alex (2005) New Triple Crown Face to Win: Drosselmeyer (2010) SHACKLEFORD He set the pace in the Kentucky Derby, tired and finished fourth, three and three-quarter lengths behind Animal Kingdom and less than one length off Nehro and Mucho Macho Man, both expected Belmont starters. He then returned to force the pace in the Preakness, gain the lead in the lane and hold off the late charge of Animal Kingdom. So, the question remains: Was the distance of the mile and one-quarter Derby the undoing of Shackleford? If so, how will he successfully handle a mile and one-half at Belmont? If you believe that Shackleford needed the conditioning he got in the Kentucky Derby, then, perhaps you cashed in the Preakness and are convinced he can handle a mile and one-half. After all, some would argue that Animal Kingdom never passed Shackleford Kentucky Derby Runner-Up to Win: Empire Maker (2003) Preakness Runner-Up to Win: Victory Gallop (1998) Kentucky Derby Show Horse to Win: Afleet Alex (2005) Preakness Show Horse to Win: Editor s Note (1996) Horse to Lay-Off Since Kentucky Derby to Win: Summer Bird (2009) Horse Prepped at Belmont to win: Drosselmeyer (2010) even on the Preakness gallop-out. Plus, speed is an advantage in longer races especially controlled speed that can be rationed out like water on a desert hike. Shackleford has displayed the kind of steady, controlled pace required to go the distance. But still, a mile and one-half is, if you ll excuse the pun, a horse of a different color. We ve witnessed what Big Sandy can do to distance-challenged, Triple Crown-baked runners. It eats them up, particularly in the final eighth of a mile. Based on his Derby effort and Preakness triumph, Shackleford must be considered a major Belmont contender and probable second choice. NEHRO As late as Feb. 21, 2011, Nehro was a maiden with two disappointing outings on his resume. That day he broke his maiden at Oaklawn Park and a monster was unleashed. He returned less than a month later to miss winning the Louisiana Derby by a neck at About three weeks later, he again came up a neck short of victory in the Arkansas Derby at nearly Those near-misses catapulted Nehro into the Kentucky Derby starting lineup, once more in less than a month s time. And guess what happened. He finished second again, this time at 8-1. After such an aggressive spring fling, Nehro s connections opted to skip the Preakness and wait for the Belmont Stakes, giving Nehro a hard-earned, five-week respite between races. The horse s breeding and late-running style seems suited to the mile and one-half distance of the third leg of the Triple Crown. As a further sign of fitness, Nehro recently worked a solid six furlongs at Churchill Downs in 1:12 1/5. That s a nice move by anyone s standards and, in combination with Nehro s past performances, tips his hand as one to take seriously in the Belmont Stakes.

6 TIME FOR A NEW SHOOTER by Bob Neumeier NBC Sports Reporter ANALYSIS: The fast early/slow late race shape of SHACKLEFORD s Preakness suggests that his performance was exemplary. The Beyer Speed Figure number of 104 is also flattering. But the Len Ragozin Sheet s performance data sharply disagrees, giving SHACK a pedestrian 7 for his victory. So whom do you believe? My intuition agrees with Ragozin; that this is a slow bunch and the Belmont Stakes is crying out for fresh faces. As expected, ANIMAL KINGDOM bounced in Baltimore earning a 6 ¾ Rag fig, a far cry from the superior 3 ¾ he posted in the Kentucky Derby. With that pattern, he should not be part of the Belmont exacta if the new faces do any running at all. So, if AK continues to regress and SHACK is just plain slow, the value should be ripe in New York. MAIN CONTENDERS: Sure, the top two will be on most tickets. MUCHO MACHO MAN continues to offer a litany of excuses. He looks raced-out in my eyes. NEHRO should be the main contender with five weeks rest and a solid Derby run and best gallop-out on his resume. He could be over-bet, but appears to be a solid selection. BRILLIANT SPEED, SANTIVA and MASTER OF HOUNDS also are rested and ran just five lengths behind the winner in Louisville. VALUE PLAYS: My sense is that SHACKLEFORD will NOT be the Belmont favorite, a rare occurrence in Triple Crown history. The Preakness winners are typically odds-on in New York. If you like SHACK (I don t), you will get value. NEHRO will take plenty of action. But for pure value, I don t think you could possibly go wrong by looking at BRILLIANT SPEED, SANTIVA and MASTER OF HOUNDS. WAGERING STRATEGIES ($100): $17 Exacta Part-Wheel: NEHRO with MASTER OF HOUNDS, SANTIVA, BRILLIANT SPEED ($51) $2 Exacta Box: NEHRO, MASTER OF HOUNDS, SANTIVA, BRILLIANT SPEED ($24) $1 Trifecta Box: NEHRO, MASTER OF HOUNDS, SANTIVA, BRILLIANT SPEED ($24) $1 Superfecta: NEHRO with MASTER OF HOUNDS with SANTIVA with BRILLIANT SPEED ($1) Stats & Trends: DERBY WINNERS IN BELMONT (Since 2001) Year Horse Fin did not compete Mine That Bird 3rd 2008 Big Brown dnf 2007 did not compete did not compete Giacomo 7th 2004 Smarty Jones 2nd 2003 Funny Cide 3rd 2002 War Emblem 8th 2001 Monarchos 3rd Notable: Derby winner has not won the Belmont since Thunder Gulch in DERBY RUNNER-UPS IN BELMONT (Since 2001) Year Horse Fin Ice Box 8th 2009 did not compete did not compete Hard Spun 4th 2006 Bluegrass Cat 2nd 2005 did not compete did not compete Empire Maker 1st 2002 Proud Citizen 5th 2001 Invisible Ink 5th Know This: Derby Top Three in Belmont The last time the top 3 finishers in the Kentucky Derby all raced in the Belmont Stakes was 2002 when War Emblem, Proud Citizen and Perfect Drift wound up 8th, 5th and 10th in the final jewel. SELECTIONS: 1. NEHRO 3. SANTIVA 2. MASTER OF HOUNDS 4. BRILLIANT SPEED

7 Exotic Wagering Chart Belmont Stakes exotic wagers usually produce hefty payoffs. Use this handy Exotic Wagering Chart to help plan your attack. exacta box: ($2 Wager) 2 horse box $4 3 horse box $12 4 horse box $24 5 horse box $40 6 horse box $60 7 horse box $84 8 horse box $112 exacta wheel: ($2 Wager) One Horse with All 6 horse field $10 7 horse field $12 8 horse field $14 9 horse field $16 10 horse field $18 trifecta box: ($1 Wager) 3 Horse Box $6 4 Horse Box $24 5 Horse Box $60 6 Horse Box $120 7 Horse Box $210 8 Horse Box $336 trifecta wheels: ($1 Wager) One Horse with All with All (Example: 1/All/All or All/1/All or All/All/1) 7 Horse Field $30 8 Horse Field $42 9 Horse Field $56 10 Horse Field $72 One Horse with Two Horses with All (Example: 1/2/All or 2/1/All or 1/All/2 or 2/a All ll/1 or All/1/2 or All/2/1) 7 Horse Field $10 8 Horse Field $12 9 Horse Field $14 10 Horse Field $16 trifecta keys: ($1 Wager) 1 Horse with 3 others $6 (Example: 1/ 2, 3, 4/ 2, 3, 4) 1 Horse with 4 others $12 (Example: 1/ 2, 3, 4, 5/ 2, 3, 4, 5) 1 Horse with 5 others $20 (Example: 1/ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6/ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) 1 Horse with 6 others $30 (Example: 1/ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7/ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) 1 Horse with 7 others $42 (Example: 1/ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8/ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) Superfecta box: ($1 Wager) 4 Horse Box $24 5 Horse Box $120 6 Horse Box $360 Superfecta wheels: ($1 Wager) One Horse with All with All with All 7 Horse Field $120 8 Horse Field $210 9 Horse Field $ Horse Field $504 (Example: 1/All/All/All or All/1/All/All or All/All/1/All or All/ All/ All/1) One Horse with Two Horses with All with All 7 Horse Field $40 8 Horse Field $60 9 Horse Field $84 10 Horse Field $112 (Example: 1/ 2/ All/ All or 2/ 1/ All/ All or 1/ All/ All/ 2 or 2/ All/ All/ 1 or All/ All/ 1/ 2 or All/ All/ 2/ 1) Superfecta Keys: ($1 Wager) 1 Horse with 3 others $6 (Example: 1/2, 3, 4/2, 3, 4/2, 3, 4) 1 Horse with 4 others $24 (Example: 1/2, 3, 4, 5/2, 3, 4, 5/2, 3, 4, 5) 1 Horse with 5 others $60 (Example: 1/2, 3, 4, 5, 6/2, 3, 4, 5, 6/2, 3, 4, 5, 6) 1 Horse with 6 others $120 (Example: 1/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) 1 Horse with 7 others $210 (Example: 1/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) Belmont Stakes Wagering Guide Updates Available Online Daily Beginning June 7

8 CLASSIC WINNERS HEAD THIS CLASS by Mike Battaglia NBC Sports Racing Analyst ANALYSIS: ANIMAL KINGDOM proved that his Derby win was no fluke with a game runner-up effort in the Preakness. The mile-and-a-half distance is a question mark for all these runners, but it does look like ANIMAL KINGDOM is capable of handling the stretch-out. SHACKLEFORD is a perfect example of a 3-yearold who has improved dramatically in a short period of time. His races in April and May were far superior to any of his previous starts, and his Preakness win was accomplished despite the fact that he washed out badly prior to the start. His ability to get the distance is suspect, but speed is always dangerous. MAIN CONTENDERS: ANIMAL KINGDOM and SHACKLEFORD have moved to the top of the division. Both of these horses have peaked at the perfect time and seem ready to perform well again in New York. NEHRO has been waiting in the wings since the Derby and will probably get a lot of attention at the windows. He would have to move forward to win, but can be expected to run another solid race. VALUE PLAYS: MASTER OF HOUNDS ran a deceptively good race in the Derby and is bred to love the mile-and-a-half distance. He makes only his third start this year and can t be left out of the gimmicks. BRILLIANT SPEED probably is going to be a much better horse on the grass, but he is also capable of negotiating the Belmont distance. WAGERING STRATEGIES ($100): $10 Trifecta Key: ANIMAL KINGDOM with SHACKLEFORD, NEHRO, MASTER OF HOUNDS ($60) $5 Trifecta Part-Wheel: SHACKLEFORD, NEHRO, MASTER OF HOUNDS with ANIMAL KINGDOM with SHACKLEFORD, NEHRO, MASTER OF HOUNDS ($30) $5 Superfecta: ANIMAL KINGDOM with SHACKLEFORD with MASTER OF HOUNDS with NEHRO ($5) $5 Superfecta: ANIMAL KINGDOM with MASTER OF HOUNDS with SHACKLEFORD with NEHRO ($5) SELECTIONS: 1. ANIMAL KINGDOM 3. MASTER OF HOUNDS 2. SHACKLEFORD 4. NEHRO Stats & Trends: PREAKNESS WINNERS IN BELMONT (Since 2001) Year Horse Fin did not compete did not compete Big Brown dnf 2007 Curlin 2nd 2006 did not compete Afleet Alex 1st 2004 Smarty Jones 2nd 2003 Funny Cide 3rd 2002 War Emblem 8th 2001 Point Given 1st PREAKNESS RUNNER-UPS IN BELMONT (Since 2001) Year Horse Fin First Dude 3rd 2009 Mine That Bird 3rd 2008 Macho Again 5th 2007 did not compete did not compete did not compete Rock Hard Ten 5th 2003 did not compete Magic Weisner 4th 2001 A P Valentine 2nd Know This: First Since 2008 The past two Preakness winners, Rachel Alexandra and Lookin At Lucky, both bypassed the Belmont Stakes. Shackleford would be the first Preakness winner to participate in the Belmont since Big Brown in Fewer Preakness Players During the decade of the 2000s, the only Belmont winners to have participated in the Preakness were Point Given (2001) and Afleet Alex (2005).

9 BRILLIANT SPEED GOOD ENOUGH by Jeff Siegel HRTV Analyst ANALYSIS: There is more at stake than just a hefty winner s purse for Kentucky Derby winner ANIMAL KINGDOM and Preakness hero SHACKLEFORD in the 2011 Belmont Stakes; a victory by either one would all but clinch an Eclipse Award in the 3-year-old division before the year s half over. However, both seem vulnerable. The last time the Derby hero also captured the Belmont was in 1995 (Thunder Gulch) and, in fact, that specific parlay has occurred only five times since SHACKLEFORD doesn t have to worry about history. His concern is staying a mile and a half. MAIN CONTENDERS: Most of the money will gravitate toward the winners of the Triple Crown s first two jewels, so there will be overlays a plenty. The most intriguing fresh face is BRILLIANT SPEED, a colt who should have caught your eye when he rallied by way of the parking lot from 14th to seventh in Kentucky to be beaten just over five lengths. Training in superb fashion in the five weeks since, the son of Dynaformer will relish 12 furlongs. VALUE PLAYS: MASTER OF HOUNDS has been piling up frequent flier miles all year long. He s gone from England to Dubai and back, from England to Kentucky and back, and now returns to the States after finishing virtually on a line with BRILLIANT SPEED in the Derby. By Kingmambo from a Sadler s Wells mare, the Aidan O Brien-trained colt is bred to stay forever and he can quicken better than you think. WAGERING STRATEGIES ($100): $40 Win: BRILLIANT SPEED ($40) $1 Trifecta Box: BRILLIANT SPEED, MASTER OF HOUNDS, ANIMAL KINGDOM, SHACKLEFORD ($24) $1 Trifecta Box: BRILLIANT SPEED, MASTER OF HOUNDS, ANIMAL KINGDOM, NEHRO ($24) $6 Exacta Box: BRILLIANT SPEED, MASTER OF HOUNDS ($12) Stats & Trends: DERBY 1-2 IN BELMONT REMATCH (Last 20 Years) Year Horses Fin Funny Cide-Empire Maker 3rd-1st 2002 War Emblem-Proud Citizen 8th-5th 2001 Monarchos-Invisible Ink 3rd-5th 1999 Charismatic-Menifee 3rd-8th 1998 Real Quiet-Victory Gallop 2nd-1st 1994 Go For Gin-Strodes Creek 2nd-3rd Notable: Derby 1-2 runners have produced Belmont winner twice in last 20 years. Derby exacta has not repeated in last 20 years, but was reversed once, PREAKNESS 1-2 IN BELMONT REMATCH (Last 20 Years) Year Horses Fin Big Brown-Macho Again dnf - 5th 2004 Smarty Jones-Rock Hard Ten 2nd - 5th 2002 War Emblem-Magic Weisner 8th - 4th 2001 Point Given-AP Valentine 1st - 2nd 1999 Charismatic-Menifee 3rd - 8th 1998 Real Quiet-Victory Gallop 2nd - 1st 1997 Silver Charm-Free House 2nd - 3rd 1996 Louis Quatorze-Skip Away 4th - 2nd 1994 Tabasco Cat-Go For Gin 1st - 2nd 1993 Prairie Bayou-Cherokee Run 6th - dnf 1991 Hansel-Corporate Report 1st - 4th Notable: Preakness 1-2 finishers have met 11 times in Belmont last 20 years, but not since Preakness 1-2 runners have won Belmont four times last 20 years. Preakness exacta has repeated in Belmont twice in last 20 years. Preakness exacta was reversed once in last 20 years Victory Gallop-Real Quiet, SELECTIONS: 1. BRILLIANT SPEED 3. ANIMAL KINGDOM 2. MASTER OF HOUNDS 4. NEHRO

10 ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR NEHRO by Jon White HRTV & Santa Anita Analyst ANALYSIS: Thoroughbreds are not asked to go a mile and a half very often in American racing these days. Thus, to me, pedigree is very important in terms of the Belmont. I think ANIMAL KINGDOM and NEHRO, who ran one-two in the Kentucky Derby, possess the bloodlines to be major players in the Belmont. ANIMAL KINGDOM has a great deal of stamina in his pedigree thanks in large measure to his German-bred dam (Dalicia) and her German-bred sire (Acatenango). NEHRO has a wonderful Belmont pedigree. NEHRO is a grandson of 1992 Belmont winner A.P. Indy (sire of 2007 Belmont winner Rags to Riches). A.P. Indy is a son of 1977 Belmont winner Seattle Slew. MASTER OF HOUNDS, also a threat based on his breeding, is a son of Kingmambo (sire of 1999 Belmont winner Lemon Drop Kid). MAIN CONTENDERS: ANIMAL KINGDOM proved his $43.80 upset Kentucky Derby victory was not a fluke by finishing a strong second in the Preakness. NEHRO probably is the most accomplished non-stakes winner in the world after finishing second in the Louisiana Derby, Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Derby. MASTER OF HOUNDS closed strongly in the stretch to finish fifth in the Kentucky Derby. Many underestimated SHACKLEFORD when he won the Preakness and paid $ It s probably not a good idea to take SHACKLEFORD lightly in the Belmont even though he s by Forestry. SHACKLEFORD S dam is by Unbridled (sire of 2003 Belmont winner Empire Maker). VALUE PLAYS: SANTIVA, sixth in the Kentucky Derby, looks like the type who might relish a mile and a half. WAGERING STRATEGIES ($100): $20 Exacta Box: NEHRO, ANIMAL KINGDOM ($40) $10 Exacta Box: NEHRO, MASTER OF HOUNDS ($20) $5 Exacta Box: ANIMAL KINGDOM, MASTER OF HOUNDS ($10) $1 Exacta Box: NEHRO, ANIMAL KINGDOM, MASTER OF HOUNDS, SHACKLEFORD, SANTIVA and STAY THIRSTY ($30) SELECTIONS: 1. NEHRO 3. MASTER OF HOUNDS 2. ANIMAL KINGDOM 4. SHACKLEFORD Stats & Trends: WINNING BELMONT POST POSITIONS (Since 1905) Post Wins Post Wins ACTIVE BELMONT-WINNING JOCKEYS Year Name Horse 2010 Mike Smith Drosselmeyer 2009 Kent Desormeaux Summer Bird 2008 Alan Garcia Da Tara 2007 John Velazquez Rags to Riches 2006 Fernando Jara Jazil 2005 Jeremy Rose Afleet Alex 2004 Edgar Prado Birdstone 2002 Edgar Prado Sarava 1990 Mick Kinane Go and Go Know This: Woody s World Perhaps no record in Thoroughbred racing history is safer than Woody Stephens unfathomable streak of saddling five consecutive Belmont winners. The streak began when Conquistador Cielo returned just 5 days after winning the Grade 1 Met Mile to take the 1982 Belmont. Stephens added trophies with Caveat, Swale, Crème Fraiche and Danzig Connection. Only Swale was a starting favorite. Oldest Triple Crown Event The Belmont Stakes, first run in 1867, is the oldest of the Triple Crown events. It predates the Preakness by six years and the Kentucky Derby by eight.

11 BELMONT AT ITS BEST by Dick Jerardi Philadelphia Daily News Columnist ANALYSIS: This is what the Belmont Stakes is supposed to be the Derby winner vs. the Preakness winner with several live possibilities in the mix. Anybody who did not quite get ANIMAL KINGDOM gets it now after his heroic run from near the back to within a half-length of catching Preakness winner SHACKLEFORD. The Derby winner is legit, and certainly has the look and bloodlines of a colt who will have no issue with the one long lap of Belmont Park. SHACKLEFORD S tractable speed makes him dangerous at any distance. If the pace is moderate for six furlongs and this colt has a big enough lead, he might show the same heart he showed at the end of the Preakness. In the 2000s, this has been a race for longshots. With all the best horses from the Preakness and Derby in here, this looks much more like a race where form should hold up. MAIN CONTENDERS: ANIMAL KINGDOM is going to be a contender in every race he runs. SHACKLEFORD was 12-1, 23-1 and 68-1 in his last three races. Those days are over. NEHRO ran second in the Louisiana Derby, Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Derby. The colt s connections decided a break was in order so he sat out the Preakness and took the five weeks. MASTER OF HOUNDS was a late-running fifth in the Derby, went back to England and is returning for a race at a distance that should be well within his scope. MUCHO MACHO MAN got a new blacksmith after another shoe problem in the Preakness. VALUE PLAYS: There is a chance SHACKLEFORD will be a bit bigger price than he should be because most will assume he will hit the wall at the distance. There does not figure to be much pace, so the Preakness winner may be dangerous again. MASTER OF HOUNDS is absolutely bred for the trip, but will have to make up several lengths on the Derby winner. WAGERING STRATEGIES ($100): $100 Exacta: ANIMAL KINGDOM over MASTER OF HOUNDS ($100) SELECTIONS: 1. ANIMAL KINGDOM 3. SHACKLEFORD 2. MASTER OF HOUNDS 4. NEHRO Stats & Trends: 2ND IN DERBY, NO PREAKNESS (Last 20 Years) Year Horse Fin. Odds 2010 Ice Box 8th 9-5 * 2006 Bluegrass Cat 2nd Empire Maker 1st Invisible Ink 5th Aptitude 2nd 8-5 * 1994 Strodes Creek 3rd 6-5 * *Favorites Notable: Derby runner-ups who skipped Preakness are 6: in Belmont (3 favorites). Only Belmont-based trainers (Frankel, twice; Pletcher, twice and Zito) have skipped Preakness with Derby runner-up since 94. ODDS-ON BELMONT FAVORITES (Since 1940) Odds-On Favorites: 31 Winning Odds-On Favorites: 12 Odds-On Favorite Win %: 38.7% Last Odds-On Favorite to Compete: Big Brown, 2008,.30-to-1 Last Odds-On Favorite to Win: Affirmed, 1978,.60-to-1. DALE ROMANS IN LAST 5 T.C. RACES Year Race Horse Fin Preakness Shackleford 1st 2011 Derby Shackleford 4th 2010 Belmont First Dude 3rd 2010 Preakness First Dude 2nd 2010 Derby Paddy O Prado 3rd Know This: Belmont Chalk is Fading 60 of the previous 142 Belmonts have been won by favorites (42.3 percent). However, 7 of the last 12 winners have been 11-1 or more!

12 HISTORIC THEMES ABOUND by Steve Byk At the Races with Steve Byk (SiriusXM) Host ANALYSIS: This is a notable Belmont since the first seven finishers in the Kentucky Derby (a record number) may meet in the Test of the Champion. In ANIMAL KINGDOM and SHACKLEFORD it s possible a dual classic winner will emerge. That s important because winners of 2 of 3 Triple Crown events have been crowned champion soph in 6 of the last 10 years. MAIN CONTENDERS: ANIMAL KINGDOM comes to Big Sandy as the favorite and most likely winner. He is bred to excel at the 12-furlong trip and has jockey John Velazquez (won with Rags to Riches in 07). ANIMAL KINGDOM would join Riva Ridge, Bold Forbes, Swale and Thunder Gulch as Derby- Belmont winners since Perhaps SHACKLEFORD will be compromised trying to stretch his speed 250 extra yards in this event, and MUCHO MACHO MAN may now feel the regressive effects of the spring classics trail. NEHRO skipped the Derby and arrives on Long Island fresh and dangerous. MASTER OF HOUNDS returned home to Ballydoyle after his surprisingly good Derby attempt. He will relish negotiating the mile and a half over Belmont s stamina-testing surface as much or more than anyone in the field. VALUE PLAYS: BRILLIANT SPEED and SANTIVA come back from mutually respectable tries in the Derby, and will be much better prices here than NEHRO or MASTER OF HOUNDS, with roughly equal chances for success. MONZON is sired by the 95 winner of this event and has the grinding style that frequently plays well at a price in the Belmont. WAGERING STRATEGIES ($100): $2 Trifecta Key: ANIMAL KINGDOM with MASTER OF HOUNDS, SHACKLEFORD, NEHRO, SANTIVA, BRILLIANT SPEED and MONZON ($60) $1 Trifecta Part-Wheel: MASTER OF HOUNDS, SHACKLEFORD, NEHRO, SANTIVA, BRILLIANT SPEED, MONZON with ANIMAL KINGDOM with MASTER OF HOUNDS, SHACKLEFORD, NEHRO, SANTIVA, BRILLIANT SPEED, MONZON ($30) $5 Exacta Box: ANIMAL KINGDOM, MASTER OF HOUNDS ($10) SELECTIONS: 1. ANIMAL KINGDOM 3. SHACKLEFORD 2. MASTER OF HOUNDS 4. SANTIVA Stats & Trends: BELMONT WINNERS IN TRIPLE CROWN (Since 2000) Year Horse Race 2010 Drosselmeyer none 2009 Summer Bird Derby 2008 Da Tara none 2007 Rags to Riches none 2006 Jazil Derby 2005 Afleet Alex Derby, Preakness 2004 Birdstone Derby 2003 Empire Maker Derby 2002 Sarava none 2001 Point Given Derby, Preakness 2000 Commendable Derby FASTEST BELMONTS Time Horse Year 2:24 Secretariat :26 Easy Goer 1989 A.P. Indy :26-2/5 Point Given 2001 Risen Star :26-4/5 Affirmed 1978 BIGGEST BELMONT BLOWOUTS (Since 1905, Win Margin) Lengths Horse Year 31 Secretariat Count Fleet Man o War /4 Risen Star Conquistador Cielo Bet Twice /4 Point Given 2001 Know This: Front-End Heists It s not easy to win the Belmont in wire-towire fashion. Da Tara s wire-job in 2008 was the first in the final jewel of the Triple Crown since Swale in 1984.

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